Refusing to kill is not a crime.

In from Payday Men’s Network in collaboration with the Women’s Global Strike

“Refusing to Kill” features seven Refuseniks from around the world speaking out against murder, rape & other torture. Payday is an international and multiracial network of men which works with the Global Women’s Strike. The range of participants in this project are impressive. http://www.refusingtokill.net

Follow the links and visit our website refusingtokill.net for more information. Do write to refusers, whistleblowers and prisoners – your letters will keep them going! Send us your news and circulate this newsletter to help build a stronger international network of refusal.

UPCOMING EVENTS

LONDONTHUR 27 November – film showing of “The Whistleblower”, organized by The Whistler at 6pm that day. Based on the true story of Kathry Bolkovac (pictured), a peacekeeper in post-war Bosnia who unveils corruption and cover-up amidst a world of UN contingents, private contractors, and diplomatic doubletalk.

Don’t miss the film “Kill the Messenger”, the story of Gary Webbwho, in 1996, a reporter on a small newspaper who blew the whistle on a CIA drug operation in South Central Los Angeles aimed at undermining the Black movement and funding murder and destabilization in Nicaragua through arming the Contras.

US 10 November – Dallas 6, US prisoners who blew the whistle on torture inside, won a “continuance“ giving them time to prepare their defense. New trial date 17 Feb 2015. Shandre Delaney, mother of Carrington Keys of the Dallas 6 and coordinator of the campaign, attended court with two dozen supporters.

Shandre Delaney

US, Benton Harbor 3 November – Grassroots leader Reverend Edward Pinkney was convicted of five felony counts of election law violation by an all-white jury even though there was no supporting evidence. Benton Harbor is 96% Black. Sentencing will be on 15 Dec.

TURKEY 5 November – Ali Fikri Işık, 56, a conscientious objector who has refused to serve in the Turkish army for over 30 years, was sentenced to 25 months in prison or a £4,000 fine. He is appealing the sentence.

TACOMA, USA – Migrants staged a third hunger strike in the North West Detention Centre to denounce expensive/unhealthy food and exploitation (working for $1/day). They have also joined the movement to press President Obama to stop deportation.

GERMANY11 November – The European Court of Justice (ECJ) Advocate General gave a favourable opinion on the case of Andre Shepherd, a US soldier who left his unit in 2008 during leave in Germany where he requested asylum. If the ECJ gives him the right to asylum, it will set an important precedent. Ruling expected early 2015.

UK 9 November – Veterans for Peace UK and their supporters commemorated Remembrance Sunday at the Cenotaph, demanding “justice for all those affected by war”. They wore a quote on their jumpers from WW1 vet Harry Patch “War is organised murder, and nothing else”.

ISRAEL – Conscientious objector Omar Sa’ad, 18, Druze citizen of Israel and musician, was jailed 6 times. He was released from military service in June following an international campaign. He has just finished touring the UK with his string quartet. Druze refusal has been growing steadily.

Uriel Ferera

Uriel Ferera, 19, from an Orthodox Jewish family has, so far, been imprisoned nine times for advocating peace. He was abused for refusing to wear military uniform in prison. Udi Segal, 19, was imprisoned for the fifth time on 30 Oct. for his refusal to enlist, and for part of that time was on hunger strike.